Over the course of his career, Thonhauser has worked on many different aspects of theoretical condensed matter physics, including superconductive materials and hydrogen storage materials, which will be crucial to ushering in a hydrogen-based economy. Today, he spends much of his time on computational design of unique metal organic frameworks. He believes this work will contribute significantly in the future to energy efficiency by improving gas storage, separation and sequestration, which currently account for up to 15 percent of U.S. energy consumption. Other benefits that will emerge from metal organic framework development will include better batteries, enhanced drug delivery and highly specific sensors, which are currently his area of concentration.